The Yoga Space

Bikram Hot Yoga

There are many types of yoga practices that you can venture into or try. Most are relatively simple to begin and enjoy the benefits of. On the other hand there are also many asanas which require expertise and cannot be handled by novice. Bikram hot yoga is one of those styles. So you need to understand the Bikram yoga dangers to avoid serious injury.

Founding of Bikram hot yoga

Bikram Choudhury is a renowned name in Olympics. He won a gold medal for in the field of weight lifting in the 1960’s Olympics. He adapted traditional yoga techniques and incorporated the naturally hot and humid environment of India. He designed Bikram yoga as a form of yoga which increases muscular strength, endurance and weight loss.

Choudhury has gone to great lengths to keep his form of yoga intact and guarded from misinterpretation. He has limited the access of his yoga only to those who have learnt yoga from his Yoga College of India situated in California and if anyone wishes to edify the same to others then they should be literally licensed by Choudhury himself. While there may be similar sounding yoga classes throughout the country, in order to legally be considered a real Bikram hot yoga class, these criteria must be met.

﻿

What makes sizzling bikram yoga different from others conventional forms of yoga?

Bikram hot yoga is done in a room heated to 105 degrees. The humidity levels in the room are typically from 40% to 60%. Sizzling bikram yoga requires heat as an integral part of the yoga session and cannot do without it. The heat factor involved makes this yoga form a relative calisthenics session and not a respite. An extreme amount of perspiration is expelled; cleansing the body of toxins. It is advised to have an excess intake of water before even starting the session to shun any dehydration problems. The heat gets the cardiovascular system pumping for an ultimate workout and allows the body to stretch further and hold poses longer, which increase endurance and strength.

The session involves a total of 26 postures, or asanas. These are done in a specific order and repeated again. Each asana lasts for a period of 10 to 60 seconds. And the total session is 90 minutes long. The first twelve poses are standing poses. And the rest are done either in sitting positions or by lying down on the floor.

Bikram yoga poses:

1. Asana involving intense inhalation and done while standing
2. A posture wherein a half moon pose has to be done by allowing the hands to touch the feet
3. Awkward pose
4. An asana posing as an eagle
5. Standing head to knee pose
6. An asana wherein you are required to position in a bow stretching fashion
7. Balancing stick pose
8. An asana wherein you are required to stretch your feet
9. Triangle pose
10. Standing separate leg head to knee pose
11. Tree pose
12. Toe stand pose
13. An asana where you are lying down calmly
14. Wind removing pose
15. Sit up
16. An asana wherein you have to pose like a snake and ravel around
17. Locust pose
18. Full locust pose
19. Bow pose
20. Fixed firm pose
21. An asana wherein you pose like a half tortoise and dwell
22. An asana wherein you have to position like a camel
23. Rabbit pose
24. Head to knee pose
25. An asana which shows as if you are turning your spine around
26. An asana which shows as if you are blowing air firmly

Aside from the obvious benefits of Bikram yoga, there are many advantages of doing this sizzling bikram yoga. Bikram Choudhury and other dedicated clique of this form of yoga proclaim it to heal many forms of illnesses if practiced no less than ten times during a month. Those who have signs showing up as auto immune illnesses and sclerosis can for sure find great difference on practicing this form of yoga. Because of the intense cleansing of toxins and opening of pores, some have found their skin is healthier, brighter and free from issues such as eczema.

The argument is intense on the aspect of involving conventional yoga along with tough workout, while the critics blame it as a rebellion yoga form which spoils the tranquility and serenity of typical yoga.